Finding Contentment
"Well, religion does make a person very rich, if he is satisfied with what he has". (1 Tim 6:6)
It has been a good 5 months since I last posted something in my spiritual blog; a blog which is dedicated to proclaiming God's greatness and mercy. While God's mercy is new every morning, I felt that some of the events which I have experienced in my life of late have been far from a reflection of God's divine 'greatness'.
What are some of these unpleasant events that I speak of with disdain? The unlikelihood of long term job security and career advancement opportunities in the local employment market, local politicians becoming richer while many parts of society continue to struggle with daily necessities, hypocritical relationships in the office, inconsiderate drivers on the road etc.
At times, it appears that pursuit of material success and wealth accumulation is the only solution in this mad world. Compassion, kindness and mercy to others becomes secondary when one needs to get ahead for survival. Are we victims of circumstance or is society purely driven by cynicism? Only the God who knows our hearts know the real intent of our stormy passions.
I attended sunset Mass at Risen Christ Church last saturday. The Gospel was about the rich man who had been richly blessed by God, having obtained a barnful of wheat. Feeling delighted with what he had, he desired to build a bigger barn so that he can continue to collect more wheat, fill it up and not worry about labouring in future. In that parable, a claim was made for his life during the night.
Can anyone today criticize the man in the parable for believing what he was believing? He was willing to work very hard by gathering more wheat for a bigger barn so that he would not worry so much about life's uncertainties in the future. Isnt "working hard and enjoying later" the principle which many parents, governments, schools and institutions tell their children and people? Ask any financial planners and they would preach the familiar song of gathering as much hay when the sun is still shining.
Fr Vaz, in his homily, mentioned that this man who was described by Jesus in the parable as a fool, was self absorbed. He was not concerned about sharing what God has blessed him with for God's glory and he depended on his material gains instead of God for security.
I suppose that is where the fine line is. The success we reap in life are from God.
The challenge will be to recognize this while we are busy working hard and making as much hay as possible while the sun is shining. SO that we can find a divine purpose for our toil which is beyond a self-absorbed motive of claiming all the gains from our labour as our own. The higher calling by God will always be to "love one another as I have loved you".
I attended sunset Mass at Risen Christ Church last saturday. The Gospel was about the rich man who had been richly blessed by God, having obtained a barnful of wheat. Feeling delighted with what he had, he desired to build a bigger barn so that he can continue to collect more wheat, fill it up and not worry about labouring in future. In that parable, a claim was made for his life during the night.
Can anyone today criticize the man in the parable for believing what he was believing? He was willing to work very hard by gathering more wheat for a bigger barn so that he would not worry so much about life's uncertainties in the future. Isnt "working hard and enjoying later" the principle which many parents, governments, schools and institutions tell their children and people? Ask any financial planners and they would preach the familiar song of gathering as much hay when the sun is still shining.
Fr Vaz, in his homily, mentioned that this man who was described by Jesus in the parable as a fool, was self absorbed. He was not concerned about sharing what God has blessed him with for God's glory and he depended on his material gains instead of God for security.
I suppose that is where the fine line is. The success we reap in life are from God.
The challenge will be to recognize this while we are busy working hard and making as much hay as possible while the sun is shining. SO that we can find a divine purpose for our toil which is beyond a self-absorbed motive of claiming all the gains from our labour as our own. The higher calling by God will always be to "love one another as I have loved you".
posted by Neil @ 9:58 PM
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